Saturday: The Afghan Whigs, Joseph Arthur, King James and the Special Men, 8 p.m., Civic Theatre: Few bands play with tension and drama more effectively than The Afghan Whigs, and then and now they use that talent to bring to life songs with real stakes for the characters that inhabit them. (tickets) Also on Saturday: Merchandise, Direct Attack, Heat Dust, TV-MA, 10 p.m., Siberia (tickets); Yugen album release party, Yojimbo, 9 p.m., Gasa Gasa (tickets); Luke Winslow King, 9 p.m., Chickie Wah Wah; 5th Annual Black & Gold Kick Off Party w/ Dumpstaphunk, Good Enough for Good Times, Gypsyphonic Disko, 10 p.m., Tipitina’s (tickets); Lost Bayou Ramblers, The Other Planets, 10 p.m., One Eyed Jacks (tickets)

Sunday: Slaughter and the Dogs, The Macgillicuddys, Medically Separated, 10 p.m., Siberia: Singer Wayne Barrett continues to lead this first generation British punk band, which had more than a hint of glam in its sound back in the day. The songwriting was up and down so their reputation rides as much on the time they played and the company they kept, but their best tracks are as anthemic as any punk rock. (tickets)

Monday: Real Estate, Regal Degal, 10 p.m., One Eyed Jacks: Real Estate looks like the band that comes to mind when you say "indie rock," but they're gentler, lovelier and more graceful than you'd expect. On Atlas, their clear, ringing jangle pop gives their longing a classic, autumnal tint. (tickets)

Thursday: Big Freedia, Partners N Crime, 5th Ward Weebie, 10 p.m., Tipitina’s: Hip-hop sub-genres tend to run their courses with startling speed, so it speaks to artists on this bill that they not only still have a place in the bounce music world, but they help define. Freedia is now the face of bounce thanks to her Fuse television show, and 5th Ward Weebie's "Let Me Find Out" was one of the hits of the summer. (tickets) Also on Thursday: Lil Dicky, Omega, Billsberry Flowboy, 8 p.m., House of Blues (tickets); How to Dress Well, Nite Jewel, 10 p.m., Hi Ho Lounge

Other Stuff

For those up for a road trip, Lil' Band o' Gold will play a tribute to songwriter, piano player and Band o' Gold member David Egan, who's dealing with lung cancer. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at Parc Sans Souci in the heart of downtown, and will include such guests as Jon Cleary, Nathan Williams, Sonny Landreth, Lil' Buck Sinegal, and Roddy Romero.

Comedy duo Tim and Eric visited New Orleans earlier this summer as their "swamp rock" band, Pusswhip Banggang. They'll return Friday night as themselves to play The Civic Theatre, and they'll be joined by Dr. Steve Brule, who bears a remarkable resemblance to actor John C. Reilly. (tickets)

Dr. John's tribute to Louis Armstrong, Ske-Dat-De-Dat is a star-studded affair, and when he plays The Joy Theater Saturday night with The Nite Trippers, he'll be joined by special guests James Andrews, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Herlin Riley and more. (tickets)